Devices for adjusting contact pressure exerted on an adjacent rotating body by a roller in a roller strip and/or for arranging the roller on the rotational body and/or for disconnecting the cylinder from the rotating body

ABSTRACT

Actuators are used to adjust a contact pressure exerted by a roller on an adjacent rotating body in a roller strip, or for arranging the roller on the rotating body or for separating the roller from the adjacent rotating body. The roller has ends that are mounted in a roller lock which includes several of these actuators. The actuators are supplied with a fluid under pressure, with a pressure level that can be controlled. The actuators, and preferably also the roller lock, have an identification characteristic such that for a selected roller lock, the contact pressure of a control unit, which can be actuated remotely, and which is exerted by the roller on the adjacent rotating body, can be adjusted by the actuators in response to the pressure level supplied to these actuators.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is the U.S. national phase, under 35 USC 371, ofPCT/EP2005/050359, filed Jan. 28, 2005; published as WO 2005/072965 A1on Aug. 11, 2005 and claiming priority to DE 10 2004 004 665.4, filedJan. 30, 2004, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to devices that are used to adjustcontact pressure exerted on an adjacent rotational body by a roller in aroller strip and/or to engage the roller on the rotational body and/orto disengage said roller from the rotational body. Ends of the roller,or rollers which are adjustable, either in contact pressure or position,are seated in a support bearing having a roller mount that is capable ofradial travel. Each of the support bearings has at least one actuator.The actuators are each controlled by separate control units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices that are used to adjust rollers in a printing machine are knownfrom DE 102 44 043 A1. Each end of a roller, that exerts contactpressure on an adjacent rotational body, is seated in a support bearinghaving a roller mount that is capable of radial travel. Each supportbearing is being equipped with multiple actuators that act on the rollerand which can be pressurized with a pressure medium. A roller that canbe displaced in this manner is also engaged, for example, against aforme cylinder.

From DE 38 25 517 A1, a device for engaging and for disengaging rollers,and for adjusting inking unit and dampening unit rollers in a printingmachine is known. A stored-program controller automatically regulatesthe positioning of an inking or a dampening roller relative to a fixeddistribution roller by the use of an input, preset adjustment pressure.The stored-program controller issues a positioning command to anelectrically activated actuator, and the actuator, which is configuredas a direct current motor, transmits the positioning command to thepositioning element, wherein that positioning element is responsible formechanically adjusting the inking roller or the dampening roller. Theelectrically activated actuator, and the positioning element arearranged in a roller lock of the adjustable inking or dampening unitroller. With the device known from DE 38 25 517 A1, a remote adjustmentof the inking or the dampening rollers is possible. Beginning with aninitial position for the adjustable inking or dampening rollers, fordifferent production types, adjustment values for other positions can bestored in the stored-program controller. Thus, the adjustment values forthe inking or the dampening rollers are based upon the selectedproduction type, with pre-set adjustment values for the differentpositions being determined based upon specific production types by thestored-program controller, by the use of a program.

WO 03/049946 A2 and the subsequently published WO 2004/028810 A1disclose methods for operating an inking unit or dampening unit of aprinting machine. In the inking unit or in the dampening unit, at leastthree rollers or cylinders are provided, which can be placed against oneanother, thereby forming at least two adjacent roller strips. At leastone of the rollers is seated in a machine frame such that it can bedisplaced relative to the other rollers. The displaceably seated rolleris pressed into the gap between the adjacent rollers, with a degree offorce that is adjustable in terms of its magnitude and its direction, inorder to allow the variable adjustment of the respective contactpressure in the two roller strips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is directed to providing devices foradjusting contact pressure exerted on an adjacent rotational body by aroller in a roller strip and/or for engaging the roller on therotational body and/or for disengaging that roller from the rotationalbody. A width of the roller strip, which is formed between the rollerand its adjacent rotational body, can be adjusted as needed, even whenthe printing couple is running in production.

The object is attained according to the invention by the provision ofsupport for the ends of the rollers whose position or contact pressureis to be changed in support bearings having a roller mount which iscapable of radial travel. Each one of the support bearings has at leastone actuator that acts on the roller. At least one actuator in a supportbearing is controlled by a control unit separately and independently ofan actuator in another support bearing. The control unit determines thecontact pressure exerted by one of the rollers, in at least one of theroller strips, on its adjacent rotational body from radial forcesexerted by actuators in the same support bearing. A control element ofthe control unit allows the contact pressure to be changed.

The benefits that can be achieved with the present invention consistespecially in that the contact pressure that is exerted on an adjacentrotational body, by a roller in a roller strip, can be individuallyadjusted as needed by a control unit, especially by addressingindividual actuators that play a part in the adjustment, and further inthat an existing setting can be changed, preferably remotely, such as,for example, even when the printing couple is running in production.Because the contact pressure is adjustable, the width of the rollerstrip which is formed between the roller and its adjacent rotationalbody, can be adjusted as needed, which width adjustment capabilityproduces a beneficial effect on the quality of the printed product thatis produced with the printing machine. The adjustment of the contactpressure is preferably accomplished by the use of a support bearing,which is also called a roller lock, that is equipped with at least oneactuator. In each roller lock that plays a part in the adjustment of aroller, multiple identifiable actuators are preferably arranged, whichindividual actuators are individually selectable and therefore can beindividually actuated directly or indirectly by the control unit Each ofthe activated actuators exerts a radial force that is directed towardthe interior of its roller lock. A vector sum of the radial forces,preferably exerted by multiple actuators, form the contact pressureexerted by the roller on the adjacent rotational body. The radialforces, which are exerted by the actuators, can preferably be adjustedseparately and independently of one another, and are also set by thecontrol unit for a desired operating position. The actuators, like therespective roller strips and the roller locks which are allocated tothem, can each be clearly identified by the use of an identificationcode. Actuators, which are connected to a common pressure source, can beactivated in groups, but are preferably activated individually. Based onthe arrangement of controllable devices and their respectiveconnections, such as, for example, via conduits for transportingpressure medium, the actuators of a specific roller lock, which areconnected to different pressure sources, can, for example, be activatedtogether, while actuators of another roller lock that are connected tothe same pressure sources remain inactive. In the case of a formecylinder, which

is not completely covered with printing formes in an axial direction,the contact pressure that is exerted by a roller engaged against thisforme cylinder can be set differently at the two axial ends of thisroller. When the control unit receives the instruction, for example bythe use of a corresponding input via a control element that is a part ofthe control unit, to change the setting of the contact pressure in aselected roller strip, the control unit calculates the amount ofpressure that should be applied to which actuator in the affected rollerlock, and implements whatever adjustment may be necessary in thepressure setting, such as, for example, by actuating one or morecontrollable devices in order to adjust the pressure in selectedactuators. To implement the contact pressure whose value is to beadjusted, the control unit controls valves, which are preferablyarranged in the pressure conduits, and which may preferably berapid-reaction, electrically or electromagnetically actuatableproportional valves. An adjustment of a contact pressure value can thusbe implemented within a few seconds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in thedrawings and will be described in greater detail below.

The drawings show:

FIG. 1, a schematic side elevation view of a printing couple comprisingan inking unit and a dampening unit, each with rollers that areadjustable in terms of their contact pressure; in

FIG. 2, a schematic side elevation view of a printing couple comprisingan inking unit and a dampening unit, each with rollers that areadjustable in terms of their contact pressure, wherein in the inkingunit, two rollers that are adjustable in terms of their contact pressureare engaged against one another; in

FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of a roller lock in accordance with thepresent invention; in

FIG. 4 a perspective view of the roller lock of FIG. 3, partly incross-section, taken in two orthogonal perpendicular planes; in

FIG. 5, a schematic representation of radial forces exerted by actuatorson an adjustable roller without a displacement of the adjustable roller;in

FIG. 6, a schematic representation of radial forces exerted by actuatorson an adjustable roller with a displacement of the adjustable roller;and in

FIG. 7, a schematic depiction of a pneumatic layout for activatingactuators and fixation devices that are components of a printing couple.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there may be shown, in a schematic,simplified, side elevation representation, a first printing couple 01comprising an inking unit 02 and a dampening unit 03, each with rollers04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that are adjustable with respect to their contactpressure. The rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, which are adjustable, interms of their contact pressure, are seated such that they can bedisplaced. In this depicted preferred embodiment illustrated example,each of these adjustable rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 is in directcontact with two adjacent rotational bodies 12; 13; 14; 16; 17. In otherwords, each of these rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 is simultaneouslyengaged with two of the rotational bodies 12; 13; 14; 16; 17 which areprovided in this arrangement. The result is that each of these rollers04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 has, on its circumferential surface, two rollerstrips N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62, whichmay also be called nip-points N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42;N51; N52; N61; N62, and which extend essentially axially relative to therespective roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11. Each roller that is adjustablein terms of its contact pressure 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, presses,through its respective roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41;N42; N51; N52; N61; N62, and with an adjustable level of contactpressure, against its adjacent rotational bodies 12; 13; 14; 16; 17. Theroller 04 is configured, for example, as a dampening forme roller 04,and forms its first nip-point N11 with a rotational body 12, which isconfigured, for example, as a cylinder 12, and especially as a formecylinder 12. Roller 04 forms its second nip-point N12 with a rotationalbody 13, which is structured, for example, as a dampening distributionroller 13. The roller 06 is, for example, an ink forme roller 06, andforms its first nip-point N21 with the forme cylinder 12, and forms asecond nip-point N22 with a rotational body 16, such as, for example, anink transfer roller 16. The roller 07 is also structured as, forexample, an ink forme roller 07 and forms its first nip-point N31 withthe forme cylinder 12 and its second nip-point N32 with the ink transferroller 16. In the dampening unit 03, a further roller 08 that isadjustable, with respect to its contact pressure, is provided, such as,for example, as an intermediate roller 08, which forms its firstnip-point N41 with the dampening distribution roller 13 and its secondnip-point N42 with another dampening unit roller 14. In the inking unit02, two additional rollers 09 and 11 that are adjustable in terms oftheir contact pressure are provided, and are for example, twointermediate rollers 09 and 11. The intermediate inking roller 09 formsits first nip-point N51 with the ink transfer roller 16 and its secondnip-point N52 with another inking unit roller 17. The intermediateinking roller 11 forms its first nip-point N61 with the ink transferroller 16 and its second nip-point N62 with the other inking unit roller17.

A similar, second printing couple 01 is illustrated, also schematically,also in side elevation in FIG. 2 and includes an inking unit 02 and adampening unit 03, each with rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that areadjustable in terms of their contact pressure. This second printingcouple differs from the first printing couple 01 shown in FIG. 1 in thepositioning of the intermediate inking roller 11 in the inking unit 02.In the second printing couple 01 shown in FIG. 2, the intermediateinking roller 11 is not in direct contact with the ink transfer roller16 at its first nip-point N61. Rather,

the intermediate inking roller 11 is engaged against the otherintermediate inking roller 09, so that roller 09 forms its secondnip-point N52 not with the additional inking unit roller 17, but withthe intermediate inking roller 11. Thus, in this example, the nip-pointsN52; N61 both designate the same roller strips N52; N61. In thearrangements shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the adjustable rollers 04; 06; 07;08; 09; 11 each have two nip-points N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41;N42; N51; N52; N61; N62. However, in the printing couple 01, anoperational position for at least one of these adjustable rollers 04;06; 07; 08; 09; 11 can also be provided, in which the at least oneadjustable roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 is in direct contact with onlyone adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17, and is disengaged fromits second adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17. A furtheroperational position for at least one of the adjustable rollers 04; 06;07; 08; 09; 11 can provide that the at least one adjustable roller 04;06; 07; 08; 09; 11 is disengaged from all of its adjacent rotationalbodies 12; 13; 14; 16; 17, while each of the remaining adjustablerollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 in this printing couple 01 is in directcontact with at least one adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17.It is also possible for only one adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14;16; 17 to be provided for at least one of the adjustable rollers 04; 06;07; 08; 09; 11 in the printing couple 01.

The printing couple 01 is arranged in a printing machine that produces aprinted product. The printing machine is configured, for example, as anewspaper printing press and is equipped, for example, with multipleones of the printing couples 01, each of which is provided with at leastone inking unit 02 and/or with one dampening unit 03. The printingcouple 01 can operate, for example, in a planographic printing process,and preferably can operate in an offset printing process. A transfercylinder that is part of the printing couple 01, and an impressioncylinder that operates in conjunction with the transfer cylinder, arenot specifically represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. The dampening unit 03 isomitted when the printing couple 01 is to be used in a dry offsetprinting process.

The circumferential surface of the rotational body 12, which isconfigured, for example, as a forme cylinder 12, is covered with atleast one printing forme which is not specifically shown. Preferably,multiple printing formes, and especially four or six printing formes,are arranged in an axial direction on the forme cylinder 12. In thecircumferential direction of each forme cylinder 12, for example, twoprinting formes are arranged in tandem, so that a total of up to eightor twelve printing formes can be arranged on the circumferential surfaceof the same forme cylinder 12. The printing couple 01 can have a totalof significantly more, but can also have fewer adjustable rollers 04;06; 07; 08; 09; 11 in its inking unit 02 and in its dampening unit 03than the number of such adjustable rollers which are shown, by way ofexample, in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In each area of direct contact between rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11and rotational bodies 12; 13; 14; 16; 17 which are engaged on oneanother, a flattened area is formed on the cylindrical, circumferentialsurface of the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, on the cylindrical,circumferential surface of the rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17, or ofboth. A chord of the flattened area corresponds to the width of theroller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62that extends on the circumference of the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11or of the rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17. The flattening of theotherwise cylindrical circumferential surface of the roller 04; 06; 07;08; 09; 11 or of the rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17 is possiblebecause the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, or its adjacent rotationalbody 12; 13; 14; 16; 17, or both, have an elastically deformablecircumferential surface. For example, the adjustable rollers 04; 06; 07;08; 09; 11 preferably each have a rubberized circumferential surface.

To achieve a high quality of the printed product to be produced usingthe printing couple 01, it is necessary to set the roller strips N11;N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 which are presentin the printing couple 01, each to a specific width, with that specificwidth lying within the range of a few millimeters and amounting, forexample, to between 1 mm and 10 mm. The rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11that can be adjusted, in terms of their contact pressure, and theiradjacent rotational bodies 12; 13; 14; 16; 17 each have a diameter of,for example, 100 mm to 340 mm and an axial length of, for example,between 1,000 mm and 2,400 mm. The width of the roller strip N11; N12;N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 corresponds to thecontact pressure, which is exerted by the respective adjustable roller04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, on its adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16;17 in the respective roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41;N42; N51; N52; N61; N62.

Each roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, that can be adjusted in terms of itscontact pressure, is seated at least at one of its ends 18, andpreferably at both of its ends 18, in a support bearing 21. The supportbearing 21 has a roller mount 39 that is capable of radial travel, or inother words is a so-called roller lock 21. Each support bearing 21 orroller lock 21 has at least one and preferably has multiple actuators 22that act upon the supported roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11. The actuators22, in turn, are preferably arranged in a housing which is a componentof the support bearing 21 or roller lock 21. Each actuator 22 can bepressurized, for example, with a pressure medium. In the discussionwhich follows, although the actuators 22 are described as actuators 22that can be pressurized with a pressure medium, which descriptioncorresponds to their preferred embodiment, the to be- described controlof the support bearings 21 and/or of their actuators 22 is independentof the medium that is used to exert the contact pressure. To implementthe appropriate control, in accordance with the present invention, theactuators 22 can also be configured, for example, as actuators 22 thatexert the respective contact pressure, on the basis of, for example,hydraulic, electric, motor-driven or piezoelectric action. In any case,activated actuators 22 cause the roller mount 39 to move eccentricallyrelative to the support bearing 21, within a plane that extendsorthogonally to the axial direction of the adjustable roller 04; 06; 07;08; 09; 11. The radial travel of the roller mount 39, relative to thesupport bearing 21 can occur in a linear or non-linear path of motion.

A permissible radial travel of the roller mount 39 in the roller supportbearing 21, which roller support bearing 21 is, for example, stationary,thus causes an eccentric displacement of the roller mount 39 in thesupport bearing 21, which is preferably configured as a radial bearing.In FIG. 3, and in FIG. 4 a roller lock 21 is represented by way ofexample. FIG. 3 shows the roller lock 21 in a longitudinal section thatruns parallel to the axis 19 of the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11. FIG.4 shows the roller lock 21 of FIG. 3 from a perspective view with apartial longitudinal section that is taken in two orthogonal,perpendicular planes. At least each roller 04; 06; 07, which operatesdirectly in conjunction with a forme cylinder 12, has at least oneactuator 22, which one actuator is controlled independently of the otheractuators 22 of each of the rollers 04; 06; 07 that also operatedirectly in conjunction with the forme cylinder 12. Preferably, it isprovided that at least three rollers 04; 06; 07, that all operatedirectly in conjunction with the forme cylinder 12, are provided, andthat each of these rollers 04; 06; 07 has at least one independentlycontrolled actuator 22.

The housing of the roller lock 21 includes a sleeve-shaped frame holder23, inside of which a roller holder 24 is seated. The actuators 22, whenthey are activated, act upon the roller holder 24 and can displace theroller holder 24 radially, in a gap that is formed radially around theaxis 19, between the frame holder 23 and the roller holder 24. The widthof the gap between the frame holder 23 and the roller holder 24measures, for example, from 1 mm to 10 mm, and preferably isapproximately 2 mm. The actuators 22 are arranged, for example, in thegap between the frame holder 23 and the roller holder 24, or in achamber or recess in the frame holder 23. Each actuator 22 that isarranged in the chamber or recess in the frame holder 23 has an activesurface 38 that faces the roller holder 24, with which the actuator 22exerts surface pressure on the roller holder 24 when that actuator is inits operational state, in which operational state it is pressurized by apressure medium.

The actuators 22 are preferably arranged in the housing, orsleeve-shaped frame holder, of the roller lock 21 so as to benon-rotatable relative to this housing, or at least relative to theframe holder 23. Each of the actuators 22 is structured, for example, asa tubular component, such as a pressure hose, that can be pressurizedwith a pressure medium. The tubular component has at least one surface38, as seen in FIG. 4 made of a reversibly deformable elastomericmaterial, with that surface 38 being configured in a further embodimentthat is not significantly shown here, as a membrane. When the tubularcomponent is pressurized with the pressure medium, that membrane 38preferably comes to rest against an outer circumferential surface of theroller holder 24. The reversibly deformable surface 38 thus conforms, atleast largely, to the surface 38 of the actuator 22 that effectivelyexerts the surface pressure. In the preferred embodiment, the actuators22 have no pistons, which are guided in a cylinder, and no piston rod.The integration of the actuators 22 into the housing of the roller lock21 clearly results in an extremely compact construction of the rollerlock 21. The pressure medium is supplied to each of the actuators 22 viaa pressure conduit 41, as is depicted in FIG. 4.

One of the ends 18 of the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that isadjustable, in terms of its contact pressure, is seated in the rollermount 39, which is, for example, semicircular, as may be seen in FIG. 4,and which is preferably configured as a quick-release coupling, andwhich is rigidly connected to the roller holder 24. Each of the rollers04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, that are adjustable in terms of its contactpressure, is capable of rotating on its own axis 19. As an alternativeto the rigid connection of the roller mount 39 to the end of the roller04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, the roller mount 39 can have a bearing, such asa roller bearing or a plain bearing, in which the end of the roller 04;06; 07; 08; 09; 11 is rotatably seated. The sleeve-shaped frame holder23 is attached, for example, to a side frame 36 of the printing couple01. The roller lock 21 is sealed against dust, moisture and othercontaminants by a sealing element 37 that preferably covers especiallythe gap between the frame holder 23 and the roller holder 24, and thatis situated at the end surface of the roller lock that faces the roller04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 which is adjustable in terms of its contactpressure. The sealing element 37 is attached to the frame holder 23, forexample, via screws which are depicted in FIG. 4. With the inclusion ofthe sealing element 37, especially the actuators 22 are also protectedagainst contamination and thus are protected against any impairment oftheir mobility. The radial displacement of the roller holder 24 in theframe holder 23 also allows a roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 to beengaged on its adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17, or to bedisengaged from it.

The roller lock 21 is equipped, for example, with a fixation device,which immobilizes the roller holder 24, and thus also immobilizes theroller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that is rigidly connected to it, in afirst operational position, thereby locking it in place against anyradial displacement relative to the frame holder 23. In a secondoperational position, the fixation device releases the roller holder forsuch radial displacement relative to the frame holder 23. The fixationdevice comprises, for example, a preferably coaxial first multi-plateassembly 26 that is rigidly connected to, for example, the roller holder24, and also comprises a preferably coaxial second multi-plate assembly27. Plates of the second multi-plate assembly 27 engage or interdigitatebetween the plates of the first multi-plate assembly 26. Theimmobilization is accomplished by the plates meshing with one another,preferably frictionally or positively. Once the frictional or positivecontact of the plates has been released, the second multi-plate assembly27 is capable of moving in the axial direction of the roller lock 21.

Axial movement of the second multi-plate assembly 27 is accomplished,for example, in that a pressure medium is supplied through a channel 28that is formed in the side frame 36, into a pressure chamber 29 which islocated in the roller lock 21. A pressure plate 31, which is arranged inthe pressure chamber 29, moves a plunger 33, which is preferablyarranged in the roller holder 24, axially, against the force of a springelement 32. The second multi-plate assembly 27 is fastened to a plungerhead 34 of the plunger 33, and is thus also moved with the axialmovement of the plunger 33, thereby causing the plates in themulti-plate assemblies 26; 27 to become disengaged from each other. Whenthe pressure exerted on the pressure plate 31 by the pressure medium inthe pressure chamber 29 is switched off, the force exerted by the springelement 32 guides the plates of the multi-plate assemblies 26; 27 backinto engagement with one another, thereby immobilizing the roller holder24, which, as discussed above, can be radially displaced relative to theframe holder 23 by the actuators 22 in the roller lock 21, in the frameholder 23.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 through 4, each roller lock21 is equipped with four actuators 22, which are arranged in a circularpattern around the axis 19 of the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11. Thesefour actuators 22 are preferably distributed, with equal spacing, aroundthe axis 19 of the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that is adjustable interms of its contact pressure. The actuators 22 are remotelycontrollable. In other words, actuators 22 can be activated by the useof a control unit 60 which is depicted schematically in FIG. 7, and arepreferably configured as pneumatic actuators 22. A compressed gas,preferably compressed air, is used as the pressure medium, for example.Possible alternatives to the preferred pneumatic actuators 22 areespecially hydraulic actuators 22, which are impinged upon by a fluid,or electromotive actuators 22. As is shown in FIG. 5 and 6 in aschematic representation, each actuator 22, when it has been pressurizedwith a pressure medium, exerts a radial force Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4,directed toward the interior of its roller lock 21, on the roller 04;06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that is connected to the roller lock 21 and whichradial force is adjustable in terms of its contact pressure. Theactuators 22 are preferably radially supported against or in the frameholder 23 of the roller lock 21, and exert the radial force Ff1; Fn2;Fn3; Fn4 on the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, which is attached to theroller holder 24 and which radial force is adjustable in terms of itscontact pressure. This is accomplished by exerting the surface pressureon the roller holder 24 that is arranged in the frame holder 23 suchthat the roller holder 24 can be radially displaced. Accordingly, thepressure exerted by the pressure medium in the respective actuator 22and the radial force Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 of that actuator 22 correspondto one another. Radial forces Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 exerted simultaneouslyby the plurality of actuators 22 situated in the same roller lock 21form an opening angle with one another, which opening angle, deviatesfrom 0° and 180°, preferably lying between 45° and 135°, and is, forexample, 90°. The contact pressure that is exerted on an adjacentrotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17 by a roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11,which is adjustable in terms of its contact pressure, in a roller stripN11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 then is aresult of a vector sum of the radial forces Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 that areexerted simultaneously by the actuators 22 in one roller lock 21, and,if applicable, taking into account a force of weight that is at leastpartially exerted on the adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17 bythe adjustable roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, as a function of its ownmass.

With an identifying element “n” in the radial force designator Fn1; Fn2;Fn3; Fn4 a specific roller lock 21 can be designated and thereforeidentified. Further discussion of the significance of the identifyingelement “n” will be addressed below. Preferably, each roller lock 21that is built into the printing machine, and which is a component of anadjustable roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, is assigned an identificationcode that can be used in the control process as an address with whichthe roller lock 21 can be clearly identified in the printing machine orat least in a printing couple 01, and which roller lock 21 can therebybe selected in the control process. In the same manner, each actuator 22that is a part of a roller lock 21, is also assigned an identificationcode. This identification code insures that each actuator 22 in one ofthe roller locks 21 that are arranged in the printing machine or in therespective printing couple 01 can be clearly identified, selected, andcontrolled. Furthermore, as with the above-described identificationcodes, the pressure chamber 29 that is part of the fixation device ofeach roller lock 21 is assigned an identification code. Each fixationdevice for the roller locks 21 that are arranged in the printing machineor in the printing couple 01 can be clearly identified. The respectiveidentification code for each of the roller locks 21, their actuators 22and their fixation device is preferably machine readable and can bestored in the control unit 60, which control unit 60 is preferably anelectronic control unit that processes digital data.

In the preferred embodiment which is shown in FIG. 1 through 4, theidentification code for the actuators 22 and the fixation device of eachroller lock 21 consists of a series of numerals, with a first numeraldesignating the relevant roller lock 21 and with a second numeraldesignating the relevant actuator 22 in the respective roller lock 21 orits fixation device. Thus, each identification code nm, with anidentifying element n; m for the roller lock 21, its actuators 22 andits fixation device, designates a clearly specified roller lock 21 inthe printing couple 01, a clearly specified actuator 22 in the printingcouple 01, and a clearly specified fixation device in the printingcouple 01. The identification code nm thus specifies a roller lock 21with its first identifying element n, and a specific actuator 22 in thisroller lock 21, or its fixation device, with its second identifyingelement m. For example, the identification code “12” consisting, forexample, of a two-digit number, designates with its first numeral theroller lock 21 identified by the number “1” which in the example shownin FIG. 1 through 4 is assigned to the dampening forme roller 04. Thesecond numeral in the numeric sequence, which in this case was selectedas the number “2”., designates a very specific actuator 22 in the rollerlock 21 identified by the number “1”. The identification code “15” inthis example designates the fixation device of the roller lock 21 thatis designated by the number “1 In the example shown in FIG. 1 through 4,the identification code nm relates to numeric sequences comprised of afirst identifying element “n” comprising a number between “1”. and “6”.,because six roller locks 21 requiring differentiation are provided, anda second identifying element “in” comprising a number between “1” and“5” for the four actuators 22 for each roller lock 21 and the allocatedfixation device. Because each roller lock 21 each of its actuators 22,and each fixation device in the printing couple 01 is assigned anidentification code nm, each roller lock 21, each actuator 22 and eachfixation device can be clearly identified and addressed. Theidentification codes nm can each be stored, for example, in the controlunit 60 as an individual, unambiguous address, with which each rollerlock 21, each actuator 22 and each fixation device can be identified,selected, addressed and controlled by the control unit, separately andindependently of other roller locks 21, actuators 22 and fixationdevices arranged in the printing couple 01.

When both ends 18 of the same roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, that can beadjusted in terms of contact pressure and/or its position, can bechanged, and/or when at least one end 18 of two different rollers 04;06; 07; 08; 09; 11, that can each be adjusted in terms of contactpressure and/or their positions, can be changed, and when both such endsare each seated in a support bearing 21, in other words in a roller lock21 having a roller mount 39 that is capable of radial travel, with eachsupport bearing 21 having at least one actuator 22 that acts upon theroller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, the control unit 60 controls at least theactuator 22 of at least the two support bearings 21 supporting theroller ends 18 separately and independently of other support bearings 21and actuators 22. The control unit 60 accordingly controls at least oneactuator 22 in a support bearing 21 separately and independently of anactuator 22 in another support bearing 21. The control unit 60 can alsocontrol groups of actuators 22 and support bearings 21 together,particularly if these jointly controlled actuators 22 and supportbearings 21 form a functional system, or if, in other words, and basedupon their technical function in the printing process, these actuators22 and support bearings 21 must continuously and necessarily bepositioned in a fixed arrangement relative to one another.

The at least two actuators 22 in each roller lock 21 are always arrangedthe same in their preferably circular distribution in each roller lock21, with respect to a specific position of the roller lock 21, so thatin all of the roller locks 21 in a printing couple 01, the identifyingelement “m” for its actuators 22 and its fixation device can always beassigned in the same order. Accordingly, the same identifying element“m” is always assigned to actuators 22 occupying the same position inthis sequence. For example, the actuators 22 and the fixation device areidentified in ascending order, with the identification code for thefixation device being assigned the highest value in this order. Theactuators 22 in each roller lock 21 are thereby designated in a fixedorder. For example, starting from a specific position on thecircumference of the roller lock 21, the actuators 22 in each rollerlock 21 are designated in the same fixed order in the circumferentialdirection.

In each roller lock 21, the actuators 22, in their preferred pneumaticembodiment, are each connected via a pressure conduit 41 to a pressuresource, such as a compressor, with a pressure level 42. As is apparentfrom the pneumatic layout shown in FIG. 7, it can be provided thatactuators 22 arranged in different roller locks 21, which, due to theiridentical arrangement in their respective roller lock 21, are assignedthe same identifying element m, are connected in parallel via the samepressure conduit 41 to the same pressure source or are maintained atleast at the same pressure level 42. Actuators 22 that are arranged inthe same roller lock 21, but which are assigned a different identifyingelement “m”, are connected via different pressure conduits 41 todifferent pressure sources or at least are maintained at differentpressure levels 42.

It can be provided that the actuators 22, which are arranged in theroller locks 21, are constantly pressurized, and that the incomingpressure acts to displace the adjustable roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11and/or acts as a contact pressure exerted on the adjustable roller 04;06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that is to be changed, only if, and for as long asthe fixation device of the relevant roller lock 21 is released. In otherwords, it is in the operating position that will permit the displacementof the adjustable roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11. If, and for as long asthe fixation device of the relevant roller lock 21 is restricting thedisplacement of the adjustable roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, pressurewhich is acting on at least one of the actuators 22, or a change in theincoming pressure, will have no effect on the adjustable roller 04; 06;07; 08; 09; 11. If, and for as long as no effect on the adjustableroller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 is intended, the pressure conduits 41 tothe actuators 22 that operate in conjunction with this roller 04; 06;07; 08; 09; 11, instead of being continuously pressurized, can also beset to be at least partially pressureless or at least substantiallypressure-reduced.

Roller locks 21 that are connected to, and that support the same roller04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that is adjustable, in terms of its contactpressure, preferably each have the same number of actuators 22. As inthe example described here, the roller locks 21 of multiple or even allthe rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that can be adjusted, in terms oftheir contact pressure, can have the same number of actuators 22. In aprinting couple, a side frame 36, in, or on which, a first support pointfor the rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, which are adjustable in terms ofcontact pressure, along with their adjacent rotational bodies 12; 13;14; 16; 17, is located, is customarily designated as “Side I”. Anopposite side frame 36, with a second support point for the rollers 04;06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that are adjustable in terms of their contactpressure, along with their adjacent rotational bodies 12; 13; 14; 16;17, is customarily designated as “Side II”.

In the prior art, actuators 22 in roller locks 21 that are connected tothe same roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 exert an equal level of contactpressure on the adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17 at both ends18 of that roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 in the roller strip N11; N12;N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62. If, however, therotational body 12, which is configured as a forme cylinder 12, is notevenly covered with printing formes in its axial direction, and insteadthat forme cylinder 12 is, for example, only half covered or at least isnot continuously covered with printing formes, it is advantageous, inaccordance with the present invention, to be able to set the contactpressure that is exerted on the forme cylinder 12 at the two ends 18 ofthe same roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 at different levels. In thiscase, the vector sum of the radial forces Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 of theactuators 22 in the roller lock 21 on “Side I” will differ from thevector sum of the radial forces Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 of the actuators 22in the roller lock 21 on “Side II”.

In the preferred embodiment of a pneumatic circuit for the actuators 22,as shown in FIG. 7, in all of the roller locks 21 which are arranged inthe printing couple 01, are preferably either electrically orelectromagnetically activated, controllable devices which are arrangedin the pressure conduit 41 that leads from the pressure source, whichdevices are preferably configured as rapid-reaction proportional valvesEP1; EP2; or EP3; EP4, such as, for example, 3/3-way proportional valvesEP1; EP2; EP3; EP4. These valves determine the pressure level 42 that ispresent at the respective actuators, and wherein, for example, one ofthe proportional valves EP1; EP2; EP3; EP4 is allocated to each rollerlock 21. The control unit 60 activates actuators 22 which are arrangedin the roller locks 21, via the proportional valves EP1; EP2; EP3; EP4.Two additional controllable devices are provided in the circuit, whichpreferably are configured as electrically or as electromagneticallyactuatable valves EP5; EP6, such as, for example, as 5/2-way valves, andwhich are arranged in the pressure conduit 41 on the pathway of thepressure medium from its pressure source to the actuators 22 in a seriesconnection, downstream from one of the proportional valves EP1; EP2;EP3; EP4. These 5/2-way valves allow the selection of whether actuators22 on “side I” of the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, that is adjustablein terms of its contact pressure, will be pressurized at the samepressure as “Side II”., or at a different pressure. The pressure level42 can be adjusted by the use of the proportional valves EP1; EP2; EP3;EP4 to any level, such as for example, between 0bar and 10bar, andpreferably between 0bar and 6bar.

The fixation devices 28; 29; 31, 32; 33; 24 for the roller locks 21 ofthe same roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 are, for example, connected inparallel in their respective pressure conduit 41, and thus preferablychange their operating position at the same time. With preferably alsoelectrically or electromagnetically actuated valves V15; V25; V35; V45;V55; V65, such as, for example, 3/2-way valves V15; V25; V35; V45; V55;V65, each fixation device is placed either in a first operationalposition, in which the fixation device blocks the essentially radialdisplacement of the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that is adjustable interms of its contact pressure, or is placed in a second operationalposition, in which the fixation device permits the essentially radialdisplacement of the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that is adjustable interms of its contact pressure.

As an alternative to, or in addition to the circuit for the actuators 22shown in FIG. 7, a controllable device can be allocated to each rollerlock 21. Such a controllable device can apply pressure to multiple, andto preferably all, pressure conduits 41 for actuators 22 in the sameroller lock 21 at the same time, with these pressure conduits 41 beingconnected to their respective pressure sources, at a first pressurelevel 42 in a first operational position and at a second pressure level42 in a second operational position. In both of the operationalpositions, the pressure level 42 that exists at the actuators 22 in eachcase is different from zero for at least one of the actuators 22 in thesame roller lock 21. All of the actuators 22 in one roller lock 21 arethereby pressurized at the same time, at their respective pressurelevels 42, which preferably differ from one another in the twooperational positions of the controllable device.

In the two operational positions of the controllable device, thepressure level 42 that exists at multiple ones of, or at all actuators22 in one roller lock 21 is also completely different, so that each ofthe actuators 22 in one roller lock 21 is pressurized at a differentpressure level 42. Actuators 22, which are designated by the sameidentifying element “m” in different roller locks 21, can have the samepressure level 42, while actuators 22 in the same roller lock 21 havingdifferent identifying elements “m” as a rule have different pressurelevels 42. The switch between the first operational position and thesecond operational position is preferably made abruptly via a switchingoperation of the controllable device, as initiated by the control unit.Accordingly, the controllable device acts on pressure conduits 41 thatlead to all actuators 22 in the same roller lock 21 in the same manner,and can comprise, for example, a flow-check valve having multiplepassageways that are independent of one another, or multiplesynchronously, or in other words, simultaneously, switched flow-checkvalves, or a switching position for the proportional valves EP1; EP2;EP3; EP4. Because the adjustment of all of the actuators that areinvolved in the switch is performed simultaneously, or in other words,is performed synchronously, the adjustment of contact pressure that isexerted on an adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17 by a roller04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 in a roller strip N1l; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32;N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 occurs rapidly, or, in other words, occurswithin a very short period of time. In this manner, during an adjustmentof the setting of the inking unit 02 or the dampening unit 03,especially when the printing couple is running in production, anunstable operating condition, that tends to lead to vibrations, isprevented. If multiple rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 each seated inroller locks 21 are provided, with each roller lock 21 having anidentifying element “n”., the control unit 60 selects the controllabledevice that is allocated to each roller lock 21 in each case based uponthe identifying element “n”.

The printing couple 01 can have a standard configuration with respect tothe contact pressure exerted by rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, withthat standard configuration comprising a set of values FN11; FN12; FN21;FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62, wherein each suchvalue FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61;FN62 corresponds to a contact pressure exerted by roller 04; 06; 07; 08;09; 11 of this printing couple 01 in a roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22;N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 on a rotational body 12; 13; 14;16; 17 that is adjacent to the respective roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11.The standard configuration can, for example, consist of numericalvalues, of value pairs or of value sequences which are listed in a tableor graphic. The control unit 60 accesses these numerical values, valuepairs or value sequences using a program intended for adjusting adesired contact pressure, which program is run in the control unit 60,and which uses these numerical values, value pairs or value sequences toadjust the desired contact pressure.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, six rollers 04;06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that are adjustable in terms of their contactpressure, with a total of twelve roller strips N11; N12; N21; N22; N31;N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62, are provided in the printing couple01. Each roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, that is adjustable in terms ofits contact pressure, is seated in a roller lock 21 having fouractuators 22. Taking into account the option of being able to setcontact pressures of different values on “Side I” and “Side II” of theprinting couple 01, the standard configuration for this printing couple01 can comprise a set of twenty-four values FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22;FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62. For each of these rollerstrips N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62, thevalue FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61;FN62 of the contact pressure being exerted therein is, in each case,formed from a vector sum of the radial forces Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 whichare exerted simultaneously by actuators 22 in the same roller lock 21,and if applicable, taking into account the force of weight which isexerted, at least partially, by the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 thatis adjustable, in terms of its contact pressure, on its adjacentrotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17 based upon its own mass. Thus, toeach value FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52;FN61; FN62 of one of the contact pressures, five additional values,which are comprised of the four radial forces Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 and, ifapplicable, the mass of the adjustable roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 areallocated. Furthermore, each value for a radial force Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4can be subdivided to indicate its absolute value and its direction ofaction.

The values FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52;FN61; FN62 of the contact pressures exerted in the roller strips N11;N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62, the values of theradial forces Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 allocated to each of these, which arepreferably subdivided into value and direction of action, and, ifapplicable, the mass of the adjustable roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 arepreferably stored in a memory device in the control unit 60. Also storedin the memory device of the control unit 60 are preferably the value ofthe gravitational constants for calculating the force of weight from themass of the adjustable roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, and for eachroller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that is controllable, in terms of itscontact pressure, a value for the distance from the center point of theroller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, which lies on its axis 19, to the centerpoint of the respective adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17 withwhich it is in direct contact. Each value for one of these distances canbe subdivided to provide an indication of its absolute value and of itsspatial direction.

In a standard configuration, which is based upon the values FN11; FN12;FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 for thecontact pressures that are stored in the memory device of the controlunit 60, in the direct contact between rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11that are adjustable, in terms of their contact pressure, and rotationalbodies 12; 13; 14; 16; 17, with the two being engaged on one another, aspecific degree of flattening of the respective cylindricalcircumferential surface of the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, therotational body 12; 13; 14; 16; 17, or both results. A chord of theflattened area, corresponding to the width of the roller strip N11; N12;N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62, extends along thecircumference of the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 or of the rotationalbody 12; 13; 14; 16; 17. The standard configuration generates a degreeof flattening that corresponds to a specific target value for the widthof each roller strip which is selected N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32;N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62, in order to achieve a high quality of theprinted product to be produced, using the printing couple 01 understandard operating conditions.

In the case of operating conditions that deviate from the standard, forexample, because the diameter of one of the rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09;11, that is adjustable in terms of its contact pressure, or because thediameter of one of the rotational bodies 12; 13; 14; 16; 17, isexpanded, such as, for example, due to a substance containment, andespecially due to an absorption of moisture, or because the diameter hasdecreased as a result of wear, it is necessary to correct the width of aroller strip or of multiple roller strips N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32;N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 that has changed as a result of the changein diameter, until the width of each roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22;N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 again corresponds to its targetvalue. Alternatively, operating conditions may require that the width ofeach roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61;N62 be adjusted to a new target value. In both cases, the contactpressure exerted in each relevant roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31;N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 must be adjusted to a new value FN11;FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62, whichadjustment will necessitate that values for the radial forces Fn1; Fn2;Fn3; Fn4, of the affected roller locks 21, be changed.

The control unit 60 is equipped with at least one control element and,with, for example, one display device for use in displaying one or morevalues FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61;FN62 for the contact pressure that is exerted in a specific roller stripN11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62. Thereference symbols for the roller strips N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32;N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62, which have been chosen here by way ofexample, can also be used as identification codes for the roller stripsN11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62, so that eachroller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62can be clearly identified by its identification code.

By use of the control element of the control unit 60, which controlelement is configured, for example, as a button, as a keypad, or as apointer instrument, a specific roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31;N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 can be selected, for example, from alist of all roller strips N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51;N52; N61; N62 in a printing couple 01 that are provided with anidentification code. Alternatively, the identification code of aspecific roller strip N1l; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52;N61; N62 can be input into the control unit 60 via its control element.For each of these roller strips N11; N1 2; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42;N51; N52; N61; N62, at least for the standard configuration, a valueFN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62,especially a target value, for the contact pressure exerted in theroller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62is stored in the memory device of the control unit 60. During theselection of, or during the input of the identification code for aspecific roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52;N61; N62 this value FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42;FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 is displayed, such as, for example, numerically,alphanumerically, in a diagram, or in a pictogram on the display device,which display device is capable of displaying alphanumeric or graphicsymbols.

With the use of the control element, the displayed value FN11; FN12;FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 for thecontact pressure which is exerted in the roller strip N11; N12; N21;N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62, is adjusted to a new valueFN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62for the contact pressure exerted in the roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22;N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62. The displayed value FN11; FN12;FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 is adjusted,for example continuously or gradually, and preferably in stages of 10%of the displayed value, by the control element. Alternatively, thecontrol element is used to select a specific factor from a list ofavailable factors by which the displayed value FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22;FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 should be adjusted.

For the new value FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51;FN52; FN61; FN62 of the contact pressure to be exerted in the selectedroller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62,the control unit 60 calculates the correct values for the radial forcesFn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 to be exerted in the relevant roller lock 21 and/orfor the new pressures to be set in the actuators 22, and stores thecalculated values for these radial forces Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 and/or forthese pressures in its memory device. The control unit 60 also controlsthe valves V15; V25; V35; V45; V55; V65, the proportional valves EP1;EP2; EP3; EP4 and the valves EPS; EP6. The calculation of the new valuesFN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62and/or the control of the valves V15; V25; V35; V45; V55; V65, theproportional valves EP1; EP2; EP3; EP4 and/or the valves EP5; EP6 ispreferably implemented after the control unit 60 has received a specificinstruction to do so, which specific instruction can, for example, beinput or selected via the control element.

The calculation of the new values FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32;FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 for the contact pressures takes intoaccount the fact that these values and the radial forces Fn1; Fn2; Fn3;Fn4, in their original levels, and their new levels, are each to beviewed as a vector quantity. Accordingly, the control unit 60 usessuitable methods for calculating vector quantities. For instance, inaddition to appropriate algebraic calculating methods, other methods,such as, for example, trigonometric calculating methods can also be usedto calculate individual components of the respective vectors. In thecalculation process, the control unit 60 includes, to the degreenecessary, its previously input, essentially unchangeable values, suchas, for example, the respective mass of the adjustable rollers 04; 06;07; 08; 09; 11 and the distance from the center of each roller 04; 06;07; 08; 09; 11, that is adjustable in terms of its contact pressure, tothe center of its respective adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14; 16;17. The result of the calculation can be displayed by the display deviceof the control unit 60, for example in the same manner as the originalvalues FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61;FN62.

In order to set the new value FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41;FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 for the contact pressure that is exerted ina selected roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51;N52; N61; N62, the control unit 60 first uses at least one of the valvesV15; V25; V35; V45; V55; V65 to actuate the fixation device of thespecific roller lock 21 in which the radial force Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 ofat least one actuator 22 is to be adjusted to the calculated new value.The adjustable roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that is seated in thisroller lock 21 can now be radially displaced. The control unit 60 thenactuates at least one of the proportional valves EP1; EP2; EP3; EP4and/or at least one of the valves EP5; EP6 in order to adjust the radialforce Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 of at least one actuator 22 in the respectiveroller lock 21 to the calculated new value. Afterward, the control unit60 again actuates the at least one valve V15; V25; V35; V45; V55; V65,that was actuated previously, to shift the fixation device of thatroller lock 21, in which the radial force Fn1; Fn2; Fn3; Fn4 of at leastone actuator 22 has been adjusted to the calculated new value, to theoperational position, in which the roller 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11, thatis adjustable in terms of its contact pressure and which is seated inthis roller lock 21, can no longer be radially displaced. The new valueFN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62for the contact pressure, which is exerted in a selected roller strip,N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 also resultsin a change in The width of this roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31;N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62.

The above-described change in a value FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31;FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 for the contact pressureexerted in a selected roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41;N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 can be implemented for multiple rollers 04; 06;07; 08; 09; 11, that are adjustable in terms of their contact pressure,either simultaneously or sequentially. For example, the values FN11;FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32 of all of the contact pressures exerted bythe forme rollers 04; 06; 07, in other words the dampening forme roller04 and the ink forme rollers 06; 07, can be changed at the same time.Alternatively, the value FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62of all of the contact pressures which are exerted by the rollers 06; 07;09; 11 of the inking unit 02, or the values FN11; FN12; FN41; FN42 ofall of the contact pressures which are exerted by the rollers 04; 08 ofthe dampening unit 03,orthevalues FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32;FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 of the contact pressures of all ofthe rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 in the printing couple 01 can bechanged at the same time. Thus, groups of simultaneously adjustablevalues FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61;FN62 can be formed. With the control unit 60, the values FN11; FN12;FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 of thecontact pressures of all of the rollers 04; 06; 07; 08; 09; 11 that areto be adjusted, in terms of their contact pressure, such as, forexample, those of an inking unit 02 and/or of a dampening unit 03, canbe reset within a time period of less than one minute, and preferablycan be reset within a period of a few seconds.

Each value FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52;FN61; FN62 of the contact pressure exerted by a roller 04; 06; 07; 08;09; 11, which has been changed once or even multiple times, for examplevia the control element in the control unit 60, to the value FN11; FN12;FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 thatcorresponds to the standard configuration, and especially to the targetvalue for the contact pressure which is exerted in the correspondingroller strip, N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61;N62, can be reset.

The control unit 60 is configured, for example, as a component of acontrol center that is part of the printing machine or that, at least,is a part of the printing couple 01, and is thus allocated to theprinting machine or to the printing couple 01. As an alternative or inaddition, the control unit 60 can be configured, for example, as amobile component, such as, for example, as a notebook, which isconnected to the controllable device that is actuated for the purpose ofimplementing such a change, in other words particularly to therespective proportional valves EP1; EP2; EP3; EP4, to the valves EP5;EP6 and to the valves V15; V25; V35; V45; V55; V65, only when a valueFN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62of a contact pressure that is exerted in a roller strip N11; N12; N21;N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 is to be changed.

To implement a change in the value FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32;FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 of a contact pressure that is exertedin a roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61;N62, proof of authorization may be required. Accordingly, prior toimplementation of the change, for example, a recognizable password mustbe input into the control unit 60 via its control element.

The change in the value FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42;FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 of a contact pressure that is exerted in a rollerstrip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 can beimplemented during the rotation of the respective roller 04; 06; 07; 08;09; 11. As long as at least one channel, with a preferably slot-shaped,continuous opening that extends in an axial direction along the formecylinder 12, and over at least the width of at least one printing forme,and which channel is configured to hold attachment hooks that are bentat the printing formes, is formed on the circumferential surface of theforme cylinder 12 in its axial direction, the change in the value FN11;FN21; FN31 of the contact pressure exerted in this roller strip N11;N21; N31 can occur when the opening in the channel and the roller stripN11; N21; N31 have no common overlapping surface. This is to insure thatduring the setting of the new value of the contact pressure exerted inthis roller strip N11; N21; N31,the roller 04; 06; 07 will not bepressed into the opening in the channel. Accordingly, the contactpressure, which is exerted in a roller strip N11; N21; N31,is changed bythe control unit only at times during which the roller 04; 06; 07 thatis to be displaced and/or that is to be adjusted in terms of its contactpressure, is rolling on the closed, customarily solidly configuredportion of the circumferential surface of the forme cylinder 12 and/oron the surface of at least one printing forme that is mounted on theforme cylinder 12. During the rollover of the roller over the opening inthe channel, the control unit 60 blocks any change in the setting of thecontact pressure which is exerted in the roller strip N11; N21; N31.

To verify this condition, a sensor that registers the current angularposition of the forme cylinder 12 and/or of the roller 04; 06; 07, suchas a torque angle gauge, which transmits a signal corresponding to thecurrent angular position to the control unit 60, can be attached to theforme cylinder and/or to the roller 04; 06; 07. The control unit 60evaluates the transmitted signal as a release signal which is indicatingthe permissibility of a change in the setting of a contact pressure thatis exerted in the roller strip N11; N21; N31. If the above conditioncannot be fulfilled, or if it can be fulfilled only with complications,the forme cylinder 12 and the roller 04; 06; 07 in whose joint rollerstrip N11; N21; N31 the value FN11; FN21; FN31 of the contact pressureexerted therein is to be changed are placed in rotation, specifically ata speed at which a rollover of the opening in the channel by the roller04; 06; 07 during the setting of the new value for its contact pressureexerted in this roller strip N11; N21; N31 will not produce a negativeeffect. The duration of the rollover is very short, and thus willoutweigh the effect of the inertia of the masses involved. Furthermore,the implementation of the change in the value FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22;FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 of a contact pressureexerted in a roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51;N52; N61; N62 during the rotation of the respective roller 04; 06; 07;08; 09; 11 also has the advantage of preventing slip-stick effects. Thechange in the value FN11; FN12; FN21; FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42;FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 of a contact pressure which is exerted in aroller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31; N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62is thus implemented during the rotation of the relevant roller 04; 06;07; 08; 09; 11 and its respective adjacent rotational body 12; 13; 14;16; 17 at a speed of, for example, at least 3,000 revolutions per hour,and preferably at a speed of at least 5,000 revolutions per hour ormore. The implementation of the change in the value FN11; FN12; FN21;FN22; FN31; FN32; FN41; FN42; FN51; FN52; FN61; FN62 of a contactpressure which is exerted in a roller strip N11; N12; N21; N22; N31;N32; N41; N42; N51; N52; N61; N62 can thus also take place when theprinting couple 01 is running in production.

While preferred embodiments of devices for adjusting contact pressureexerted on an adjacent rotational body by a roller in a roller stripand/or for engaging the roller on the rotational body and/or fordisengaging the roller from the rotational body, in accordance with thepresent invention have been set forth fully and completely hereinafter,it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various changes in,for example, the source of the compressed air or hydraulic fluid, thesizes of the cylinders and rollers, and the like could be made withoutdeparting from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, whichis accordingly to be limited only by the appended claims.

1. A device for adjusting a contact pressure exerted by each of aplurality of rollers on an adjacent rotational body in a printing couplecomprising: a plurality of first rollers, each of said first rollersbeing supported in said printing couple for rotation about a rollerlongitudinal axis and having first and second roller ends, a firstroller circumference and a first roller weight; an adjacent rotationalbody having a rotational body circumference and being engageable by atleast selected ones of said plurality of first roller circumferences; aseparate roller strip formed by said engagement of each of said selectedones of said plurality of first rollers with said rotational bodycircumference, each said separate roller strip having a circumferentialwidth in a rotational direction of said at least first roller; aseparate designator usable to identify each one of said separate rollerstrips; a separate support bearing for each of said first and secondends of each of said plurality of first rollers; a roller mount in eachsaid separate support bearing, each said roller mount being shiftableradially in said associated separate support bearing; a plurality ofactuators interposed between each said separate support bearing and eachsaid associated roller mount, each of said plurality of actuators foreach said roller mount being adapted to exert radial forces on saidroller mount, said plurality of actuators each being usable to impart acontrollable contact pressure which is exerted by each of said first andsecond ends of said selected ones of said plurality of first rollers toform each said first roller strip during operation of said printingcouple; a unique identifying element for each of said actuators for eachof said separate support bearings for each of said plurality of firstrollers; and a control unit having a display device, said control unitbeing adapted to select each of said plurality of actuators for eachsaid support bearing using said unique identifying element and saidseparate roller strip designator and to adjust and to control each ofsaid plurality of actuators in each said separate support bearingindependently of additional ones of said actuators in each said separatesupport bearing to vary said circumferential width of each said rollerstrip identified by each said separate roller strip designator duringsaid operation of said printing couple, each of said actuators beingactivatable remotely by said control unit, said display device beingadapted to selectively display said controllable contact pressure foreach of said selected ones of said plurality of first rollers againstsaid adjacent rotational body.
 2. The device of claim 1 furtherincluding a pressure medium usable to pressurize each said actuator. 3.The device of claim 1 further including a controllable device allocatedto each said support bearing, said control unit using said controllabledevice to activate each of said plurality of actuators for each saidsupport bearing.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said controllabledevice applies pressure to each of said plurality of actuators in eachsaid support bearing synchronously at a first pressure level in a firstoperational position and at a second pressure level in a secondoperational position.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein in said first andsecond operational positions, said first and second pressure levels aredifferent from zero for at least one of said plurality of actuators ineach said support bearing.
 6. The device of claim 4 wherein said firstpressure level and said second pressure level in different ones of saidplurality of actuators in each said support bearing are different fromeach other.
 7. The device of claim 4 wherein said first and secondpressure levels are different.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein one ofsaid first and second ends of one of said plurality of first rollersimparts a contact pressure different from a contact pressure imparted bythe other of said first and second ends of said one of said plurality offirst rollers.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein each said actuator ineach said support bearing exerts a radial force directed towards saidsupport bearing.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said contact pressureimparted by each said roller on said adjacent rotational body is avector sum of said portion of said roller weight and said radial forcesexerted by said actuators.
 11. The device of claim 1 wherein saidplurality of first rollers and said adjacent rotational body arearranged in a printing couple of a printing machine.
 12. The device ofclaim 11 wherein said printing machine is a newspaper printing press.13. The device of claim 1 wherein said control unit is allocated to saidprinting machine.
 14. The device of claim 13 further including at leastone channel having an opening in said forme cylinder.
 15. The device ofclaim 14 wherein said control unit varies said circumferential width ofeach said first roller strip when said at least one channel opening andsaid roller strip are out of alignment with each other.
 16. The deviceof claim 1 wherein said adjacent rotational body is a forme cylinder.17. The device of claim 16 further including a plurality of printingformes arranged in an axial direction on said forme cylinder.
 18. Thedevice of claim 17 further including at least four of said printingformes covering said forme cylinder in said axial direction of saidforme cylinder.
 19. The device of claim 1 wherein said rotational bodyis a supplementary roller.
 20. The device of claim 1 wherein saidcontrol unit adjusts and controls said radial forces to be exerted byeach said actuator to provide said controllable contact pressure havinga specific value.
 21. The device of claim 1 further includingcontrollable valves usable by said control unit to adjust said radialforces to be exerted by each of said plurality of actuators.
 22. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said control unit determines said contactpressure including a distance of a center point of each said firstroller from a center point of said adjacent rotational body, and saidportion of said roller weight determined by multiplication of agravitational constant by a mass of each said first roller.
 23. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said value for said controllable contactpressure can be changed.
 24. The device of claim 23 further includingwherein said control unit is adapted to determine said radial forcesexerted by said actuators in response to a change in said displayedvalue.
 25. The device of claim 23 further including controllable valvesoperable by said control unit and usable to vary said controllablecontact pressure through said control element.
 26. The device of claim25 wherein said control unit adjusts said value of said controllablecontact pressure displayed on said display device by control of saidcontrollable valves.
 27. The device of claim 26 wherein said pluralityof first rollers and said adjacent rotational body define a printingcouple and where a rotational speed of each said plurality of first saidrollers is at least 3000 rph.
 28. The device of claim 1 wherein saidcontrol unit is adapted to display on said display device a value ofsaid controllable contact pressure, said value being derived from saidradial forces exerted by said actuator and from a portion of said firstroller weight of each of said plurality of first rollers.
 29. The deviceof claim 1 wherein each said separate support bearing includes acontrollable fixation device, said fixation device, in a first positionblocking said radial shifting of said roller mount, and in a secondposition allowing said radial shifting of said roller mount.
 30. Thedevice of claim 29 further including fixation devices at said separatesupport bearings for said first and second ends of each said roller andbeing operable at the same time.
 31. The device of claim 29 furtherincluding a controllable valve usable to change said fixation devicebetween said first position and said second position.
 32. The device ofclaim 29 further including using said control unit to place saidcontrollable fixation device in said second position, using said controldevice to change said value of said contact pressure while saidcontrollable device is in said second position and then using saidcontrol unit to place said controllable fixation device in said firstoperational position.
 33. The device of claim 1 further includingseveral of said adjacent rotational bodies engageable by said pluralityof said first rollers concurrently.
 34. The device of claim 1 whereineach of said plurality of first rollers and said adjacent rotationalbody are components of one of an inking unit and a dampening unit of aprinting couple of a printing machine.
 35. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid plurality of actuators interposed between each said separatesupport bearing and each said associated roller mount are non-rotatablewith respect to said support bearing.
 36. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid plurality of actuators are distributed in a circular pattern aroundan axis of rotation of each said roller.
 37. The device of claim 36wherein said circularly arranged ones of said actuators in each saidsupport bearing are each assigned their unique identifying element in afixed sequence.
 38. The device of claim 1 further including pressuremedium conduits connected in parallel to said plurality of actuators.39. The device of claim 1 wherein said plural actuators in each saidsupport bearing are connected by separate pressure medium conduits atseparate pressure levels.
 40. The device of claim 1 wherein each saidactuator is a tubular component.
 41. The device of claim 40 wherein eachsaid tubular component is at least partially an elastomeric material.42. The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of actuators in eachsaid separate support bearing form an opening angle with respect to eachother.
 43. The device of claim 42 wherein said opening angle isdifferent from 0° and 180°.
 44. The device of claim 42 wherein saidopening angle is between 45° and 135°.
 45. The device of claim 1 whereinactuators in said support bearing at said first end of one of saidplurality of first rollers exert a first contact pressure and furtherwherein said actuators in each support bearing at said second end ofsaid one of said plurality of first rollers exert a second contactpressure different from said first contact pressure.
 46. The device ofclaim 45 further wherein said adjacent rotational body is a formecylinder having a plurality of printing formes in an axial direction ofsaid forme cylinder, said plurality of printing formes not completelycovering said forme cylinder in said axial direction.
 47. The device ofclaim 1 wherein each said support bearing is assigned a support bearingidentifying element.
 48. The device of claim 1 wherein each saidactuator identifying element and each said support bearing identifyingelement form an identification code.
 49. The device of claim 48 whereinsaid identification code is machine readable.
 50. The device of claim 1wherein said control unit is a mobile component.
 51. The device of claim1 wherein said control unit is connected to each one of said pluralityof actuators only when a value of said contact force is to be changed.52. The device of claim 1 further including a controllable valve betweensaid control unit and each said actuator, said control unit beingconnected to each of said valves only when said valve is to becontrolled.
 53. The device of claim 52 wherein said valves are one ofelectrically and electromagnetically actuated.
 54. The device of claim 1further including a memory device in said control unit.
 55. The deviceof claim 54 further including at least one set of values stored in saidmemory device, said at least one set of values defining a standardconfiguration for each value corresponding to said contact pressure tobe exerted by each said roller against said adjacent rotational body.56. The device of claim 55 wherein said values of said standardconfiguration generate flattening on one of a surface of each saidroller and of said adjacent rotational component, said flattening beingusable to achieve a level of print quality in a printed product printedby the printing couple.
 57. The device of claim 1 further includingproviding groups of simultaneously adjustable values for said radialforces in said control unit.
 58. The device of claim 57 furtherincluding at least one of an inking unit and a dampening unit includingsaid plurality of first rollers, said groups of simultaneouslyadjustable values being usable with said inking unit and said dampeningunit.
 59. The device of claim 57 wherein said adjacent rotational bodyis a forme cylinder and said groups of simultaneously adjustable valvesare usable with said plurality of first rollers configured as formerollers and being operable with said forme cylinder.
 60. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said control unit adjusts said contact pressure in atime period of less than one minute.
 61. The device of claim 1 whereineach said actuator exerts a contact pressure using one of hydraulic,electric, motor-driven and piezoelectric action.
 62. The device of claim1 wherein said control unit is usable to determine a value of saidcontrollable contact pressure exerted by each of said plurality of firstrollers using said radial forces exerted by said actuators in each saidsupport bearings and at least a portion of a force of weight exerted byeach said roller.
 63. The device of claim 1 wherein said circumferentialwidth of each said separate roller strip is variable along saidlongitudinal axis of each of said plurality of first rollers.